Insights to Impact: Guy Wasko on Faith, Flourishing, and the Future of New York City

What if the spiritual hunger of a city wasn’t a problem to solve but a promise waiting to be fulfilled? That’s the central question driving Guy Wasko’s latest book, Insights to Impact: Faith, Flourishing and the Future. Drawing from groundbreaking research with the Barna Group, Wasko explores the state of human flourishing in New York City in 2025 and invites leaders, churches, and everyday citizens to turn data into action.

In a recent interview, Wasko shared the vision behind the book, his passion for New York City, and why faith communities are uniquely positioned to meet the challenges of modern urban life.

Why New York? A City of Opportunity and Challenge

Having lived in Manhattan’s East Village since 2009, Wasko knows the city intimately. He speaks with deep affection about its pace, diversity, and density. “Humans are created to create,” he notes, pointing out that every morning millions of New Yorkers wake up asking what new thing they can contribute—whether that’s starting a business, writing a book, or simply helping a neighbor.

Yet beneath the vibrancy lies a quiet ache: anxiety, loneliness, financial pressure, and the search for meaning. Wasko’s book doesn’t shy away from these realities. Instead, it positions the Church and community leaders as catalysts for transformation, equipped with both compassion and credible data.

What the Data Reveals: Faith, Mental Health, and Finances

Insights to Impact is based on research conducted with the Barna Group. Wasko explains that their mission was to be “data-informed, not data-driven”—to listen and learn from research while still discerning action through wisdom and faith.

Some of the most striking findings he highlights include:

• Positive perceptions of churches but mistrust of pastors. Around 71% of unchurched New Yorkers view the local church positively, yet the same group holds negative perceptions of pastors. Wasko argues this is a call for leaders to rebuild credibility through service, compassion, and community engagement.
• A mental health crisis among young adults. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z New Yorkers struggle daily with anxiety or depression. Stress, cost of living, and a widespread loneliness epidemic are driving these struggles, even in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
• Financial stress and underpayment. Many young people report being satisfied with their jobs but underpaid. Combined with the high cost of living in New York, this reality fuels anxiety and uncertainty for younger generations.

From Data to Impact: Practical Lessons for Leaders

Wasko stresses that research alone is not enough—the goal is to turn insights into real-world action. “Everybody who reads this book should be inspired by at least one piece of data in their local context,” he says. “You don’t have to launch a citywide initiative. Maybe you just love your neighbor a little better, serve your boss a little better, or support your local school.”

Some practical lessons include:

1. Cultivate authentic community – With millions experiencing loneliness, especially Gen Z, faith communities must go beyond Sunday services and create spaces for deep, authentic connection.
2. Destigmatize mental health – Churches and organizations can normalize conversations around anxiety and depression while pointing people to practical resources.
3. Support vocational and financial well-being – Equipping young professionals with resilience, financial literacy, and mentorship can reduce stress and unlock purpose.
4. Strengthen public witness – Serving the poor, engaging social issues, and being visible in neighborhoods can restore trust in faith leaders and institutions.

A Vision Beyond New York

Although the research was NYC-specific, Wasko believes the lessons are global. “These are uniquely human challenges and realities,” he explains. “While the numbers might be different where you live, the truth remains: we’re made for relationship.”

He also sees the book as a model for other cities. Communities elsewhere can use the same approach—combining data with practical steps—to shape healthier, more flourishing environments.

Couch to Community

Insights to Impact is more than a book; it’s a roadmap for renewal. It challenges readers to see beyond statistics and step into action—what Wasko calls moving “from couch to community.”

For pastors, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and everyday New Yorkers, the message is simple: the flourishing of a city depends on the flourishing of its people. And with faith, unity, and practical compassion, even the world’s busiest city can become a place of hope and transformation.

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